20201 (2026). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Education

Written Question

Published date: 18 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	20201 (2026)
Question asked:	24 May 2026
Member asking:	Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Portfolio:	Minister of Education
Minister replying:	Hon Erica Stanford
Answer received:	14 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_20201_2026
Document guid:	380a4efb-ac54-4f1b-a109-85fb530f7085

20201 (2026). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Education: How many ministerial policy directions, if any, have been implemented by the Ministry without the Minister’s approval since she took office, further to her comments on TVNZ’s Q+A that she had to “micromanage” the Ministry after it issued an unsanctioned ESOL funding notice?

Hon Erica Stanford: The Ministry of Education (the Ministry) seeks ministerial approval for matters that set or change policy direction, require a Ministerial or Cabinet decision, or involve significant risk or sensitivity. Operational decisions within existing delegations and approved policy settings are made by the Ministry.